A Sri Lankan Navy officer who was in India to participate in a BIMSTEC maritime security exercise has died following a brief illness.
Commander SASM Samarakoon, a crew member of SLNS Gajabahu, passed away in Sri Vijayapuram, India, on November 2, 2026.
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka expressed its condolences over the officer’s untimely death.
According to the Indian High Commission, Commander Samarakoon was part of the Sri Lankan Navy contingent participating in the BIMSTEC maritime security exercise in India.
His remains were flown to Colombo on Tuesday (3) aboard an Indian Air Force C-130 aircraft.
The Indian High Commission confirmed the repatriation while expressing its condolences over the officer’s passing.
BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional grouping that promotes cooperation among seven member countries, including Sri Lanka and India, in areas such as security and maritime cooperation. (Newswire)